Illinois schools struggling to get control
With a transit funding crisis and federal probes of the governor's pals, an NCAA Tournament shutout isn't the chief concern for men's basketball fans in Illinois.
But it's worth noting that March could be a quiet month around here. For the first time since 1999, the state might not have a team in the bracket.
After reaching the Sweet Sixteen last year, Southern Illinois is below .500 (6-7). Another recent Sweet Sixteen participant, Bradley, isn't doing much better (7-7).
Yet the biggest threat to the state's tournament streak is the team that has kept it going. Illinois is 8-6 after dropping consecutive home games for the first time since its last tourney whiff in 1999.
Here's a look at the tournament chances for several in-state teams.
Illinois State
Record: 10-3 (2-0 Missouri Valley)
RPI*: 45
Good wins: Creighton, Cincinnati
Bad losses: Eastern Michigan
The skinny: It's no joke. ISU could be the state's best hope to break into the bracket. First-year coach Tim Jankovich has ignited the Redbirds, who are 6-0 at home and recently swept a four-game road swing.
Tourney bound: Redbirds could be a factor in the wide-open Valley.
Southern Illinois
Record: 6-7 (1-1 Valley)
RPI: 58
Good wins: Saint Mary's, Mississippi State
Bad losses: W. Michigan (by 16)
The skinny: The preseason Valley favorites have dropped their first five road games. Hoping to mirror Gonzaga, coach Chris Lowery put together the nation's sixth toughest slate, but his young backcourt is struggling.
Tourney bound: The Salukis need a burst in league play, but they have the players (Randal Falker, Matt Shaw) who know what it takes.
Illinois
Record: 8-6 (0-1 Big Ten)
RPI: 112
Good wins: Arizona State, Oklahoma State
Bad losses: Miami (Ohio), Tennessee State
The skinny: Tournament teams rarely drop three of four at home. Sunday's game against Penn State is a must win.
Tourney bound: Illini need some marquee wins (Indiana, Wisconsin) to boost their sagging RPI.
Bradley
Record: 7-7 (0-2 Valley)
RPI: 89
Good wins: Wright State, Iowa State
Bad losses: None
The skinny: No major blemishes for the Braves, but an 0-2 start to conference play hurts. Bradley has dropped four straight.
Tourney bound: Schedule strength (24) will help if Bradley makes a run.
Illinois-Chicago
Record: 8-6 (2-1 Horizon League)
RPI: 140
Good wins: Bradley, Green Bay
Bad losses: Youngstown State
The skinny: UIC is dominant at home but woeful on the road. A strong backcourt led by Josh Mayo (18.4 ppg) could pay off later.
Tourney bound: UIC has to win Horizon's automatic berth but could be dangerous in the league tournament.
DePaul
Record: 5-7 (1-0 Big East)
RPI: 130
Good wins: Villanova
Bad losses: North Carolina A&T, UIC at home
The skinny: Demons rank 20th nationally in schedule strength, but a bunch of losses to good teams doesn't help. Thursday's upset of Villanova could mean better things are ahead.
Tourney bound: DePaul must qualify for the league tournament and then make a historic run.
Northwestern
Record: 5-5 (0-1 Big Ten)
RPI: 208
Good wins: at Western Michigan
Bad losses: Brown
The skinny: Always a big man away from being respectable, the Wildcats can finally shoot the 3-pointer but can't defend a lick.
Tourney bound: Never happened before and won't this year.
Loyola
Record: (5-8, 1-2 Horizon)
RPI: 287
Good wins: None
Bad losses: UMKC, Bradley (by 17 at home)
The skinny: Last season was Loyola's chance for a postseason push.
Tourney bound: Not happening.
Northern Illinois
Record: 3-9
RPI: 228
Good wins: Air Force
Bad losses: Cal Poly
The skinny: Huskies still finding their way under first-year coach Ricardo Patton.
Tourney bound: Not this year.
* Denotes ranking according to RealTimeRPI.com.